Mount Lookout Cinema Grill in Cincinnati, what happened to it?

Question

I used to go to the cinema and watch the SuperBow. My friends and I had a blast. I heard that it had closed down. I tried searching for a news article detailing its closing but couldn't find anything. Anyone have a link to a story or some infromation about it?

Answer 1

I went there a few times, wasnt blown away by it, but it was good for a change from all the other mega-plex theaters that are out there anymore.  Anyway, I found this article in the Cincinnati Business Courier- it doesnt say specifically what happened, but from the article, I think you'll be able to tell what happened pretty easily:

Mount Lookout Cinema Grill, the eight-year-old restaurant that combines dinner, drinks and a movie, has put itself on the list of coming attractions for entrepreneurs.

Co-owner and general manager Kerri Schmidt said she is looking for a partner or buyer to help reduce her debt and to promote the destination in a way that she can't.

"There are things that I'd like to do to increase sales and I don't have the finances to do it," Schmidt said recently. "This is such a cool place, and everyone who comes here loves it. It's just so many people haven't heard of us. I'd just like to make it work."

Schmidt said chief among the needs are a facade upgrade and better marketing.

She is looking to sell all or part of the business. Her partner, Bill Tillett, would sell his stake, but she could stay involved if she can't find a buyer interested in buying them both out.

If Tillett sells out alone, the money would be invested in the grill for renovations and marketing. Tillett's role in the business always was intended to be smaller than Schmidt's, she said.

Tillett could not be reached for comment.

Schmidt's challenges are not unusual. The restaurant business demands exhaustive amounts of time and money. Recently, Nick & Tony's, Mullane's and F&N Steakhouse all have shuttered.

"It's a pretty serious biz, and you're dealing with so many different elements. The personnel alone is incredible," said Mark Young, co-publisher of Restaurant Start Up & Growth.

Schmidt became a partner in Mount Lookout Cinema Grill in 2001. The grill serves a full menu and seats 130 in one theater and 70 in the other. It employs 10.

Answer 2

Like other businesses, when the profits aren't there they just close up. I use to go also, but apparently not enough.